2,016 Global GAW Family Members

GAW Family History

Recorded in several spellings including Gall, Gaw, Gow, and patronymics Gawson, Ganson, Gaunson, Gauson, Gowson, this interesting surname has two possible derivations. Firstly it may be Scottish and derive from the Old Gaelic word "gall", meaning a stranger. In the Highlands of Scotland, the term was applied to people from the English-speaking Lowlands, whilst in Ireland it was given to settlers who arrived from Wales and England in the aftermath of the Anglo-Norman invasion. The surname is also found early in Lincolnshire, where it is of Breton origin, being introduced there by Norman settlers.